Transformable envelope

ABSTRACT

An envelope that can be converted into a bag or reused again as a mailing envelope. The transformable envelope includes a main body including a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel attached to the front panel and to the back panel, and side panels connected to the front panel and the back panel. A fastening device is connected to the front panel and the back panel. A first coupling device is attached to the side panels and second coupling device attached to the side panels. The first coupling device is configured to interlock with the facing second coupling device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to envelopes. More particularly, the present invention relates to transformable envelopes that may be converted into shopping bags or may be reused again as mailing envelopes.

Envelopes are normally used to deliver correspondence to family, friends, consumers, and businesses. The envelopes are usually opened and then discarded by the recipient. Unfortunately, this practice creates unnecessary waste.

As can be seen, there is a need for envelopes that can be easily reused or transformed into another object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a transformable envelope/shopping bag includes a main body including a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel attached to the front panel and to the back panel, and side panels connected to the front panel and the back panel; a fastening device is connected to the front panel and the back panel; a first coupling device is attached to the side panels and second coupling device attached to the side panels; and the first coupling device is configured to interlock with the second coupling device.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a transformable envelope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the transformable envelope having the shape of an envelope;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective front view of the transformable envelope of FIG. 1 showing the envelope in a semi-open configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of the transformable envelope of FIG. 1 showing the envelope in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the transformable envelope of FIG. 1 showing details of a fastening device;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective side view of the transformable envelope of FIG. 1 showing the envelope being transformed into a bag;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective front view of the bag of FIG. 5 showing the bag in an open configuration; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the transformable envelope taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide an envelope that may be converted into a bag or may be reused again as a mailing envelope.

FIGS. 1-7 show a transformable envelope 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The transformable envelope 10 may include a main body 11 including an open top end 13, a front panel 12, a back panel 14, a bottom panel 32 having one side attached to the front panel 12 and the opposite side attached to the back panel 14. Side panels 16 may connect the front panel 12 and the back panel 14.

The interior of the main body 11 may be adapted to receive materials to be mailed. The main body 11 may be made of a tear-resistant material, for example, plastic, laminated plastic, fabric, vinyl, or combination thereof. The size of the main body 11 may depend on the size of the materials to be mailed. The size of the main body 11 may be, for example, close to the size of standard mailing envelopes.

The front panel 12, the back panel 14, the bottom panel 32, and the side panels 16 may be connected to each other along their edges by stitching 26. In addition, the panels 12, 14, 16, 32 may be connected to each other by using adhesives. In addition, the front panel 12 may include a transparent pocket 34 adapted to receive the recipient's address label.

The back panel 14 may include logos, advertising material, or decorations placed directly on it. In addition, the back panel 14 may include a transparent pocket (not shown) adapted to receive logos, advertising material, or decorations.

The front panel 12 may include an area (not shown) to allow the user (not shown) to write the mailing information of the recipient. The area (not shown) may be made of a material suitable for receiving writing.

A fastening device 18 may allow the user (not shown) to seal the mailing material inside the transformable envelope 10. The fastening device 18 may include a first section 18 a connected to the top end of the front panel 12 and a second section 18 b connected to the top end of the back panel 14. The first section 18 a and the second section 18 b may interconnect with each other to close the open end 13 of the main body 11 when the transformable envelope 10 may be in the envelope configuration. The fastening device 18 may be, for example, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, or buttons and eyelets.

Matching coupling devices 24 may be attached to opposite ends of the side panels 16. The matching coupling device 24 may be placed at the corners or edges of the side panels. The matching coupling device 24 may allow the user (not shown) to secure the corners and edges of the front panel 12 and the back panel 14 together when the transformable envelope 10 configured as an envelope. The matching coupling device 24 may be, for example, clasps, hooks and eyes fasteners, press stud, hook and loop fasteners, or snap fasteners.

An eyelet 20 may be placed on one of the corners of the front panel 12 and on a corner of the back panel 14. A string 22 may be passed through the eyelets 20 of the front panel 12 and the second panel 14 to secure the content between the front panel 12 and the back panel 14. The size of the eyelets 20 may depend on the size of the transformable envelope 10. The string 20 may be, for example, a cord, yarn, lace, thread, filament, cable, or tie wrap.

Straps 30 may be secured to the internal face of the front panel 12 and the back panel 14. The straps 30 may remain folded inside the main body 11 for the envelope configuration. The straps 30 may be unfolded and protrude from the interior of the main body 11 to form the handle for the bag configuration. The length of the straps 30 may depend on the size of the main body 11.

Folding lines 28 may be placed on the side panels 16. The folding lines 28 may provide the user with a guideline for folding the transformable envelope 10 back into the envelope configuration. The folding lines 28 may be pre-marked during the manufacturing process of the transformable envelope 10. A standard method for creating folding lines may be used to create the folding lines 28.

A liner (not shown) may be placed on the internal faces of the front panel 12 and the back panel 14. The liner (not shown) may be made of a material suitable for making a shopping bag, tote, or purse. The liner (not shown) may be made, for example, of plastic, leather, fabric, cloth, soft rubber, or canvas.

The main body 11 may be configured as an envelope by folding the side panels 16 by the folding lines 28, interlocking opposite facing matching coupling devices 24 on the side panels 16, and passing and tying the strings 22 on the eyelets 20. The user may place the mailing material inside the transformable envelope 10 and ship it to the recipient. The recipient may open the transformable envelope 10 to extract the mailing material by cutting the string 22 and unfastening the fastening device 18. If desired, the recipient may reuse the transformable envelope 10 to mail mailing material to another recipient. In addition, the recipient may convert the transformable envelope 10 into a bag by opening the fastening device 18, uncoupling the matching coupling devices 24, and unfolding the side panels 16.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transformable envelope comprising: a main body including an open top end, a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel having one side attached to the front panel and an opposite side attached to the back panel, and side panels connected to the front panel and the back panel; a fastening device including a first section connected to a first end of the front panel and a second section connected to a first end of the back panel, wherein the first section and the second section interconnect with each other to close the open end; and a first coupling device attached to a first side of the side panels; and a second coupling device attached to a second side of the side panels; wherein the first coupling device is configured to interlock with the second coupling device.
 2. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, further including a string passing through the first eyelet and the second eyelet and forming a knot.
 3. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is a zipper.
 4. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of laminated plastic.
 5. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, wherein the front panel further includes an outer face having a transparent pocket.
 6. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling device and the second coupling device are press studs or snap fasteners.
 7. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, further including a first strap secured to an internal face of the front panel and a second strap secured to an internal face of the back panel.
 8. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, wherein the transformable envelope is configured to transform between a configuration resembling an envelope and a configuration resembling a bag.
 9. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, further including a liner secured to an internal face of the front panel and to an internal face of the back panel.
 10. The transformable envelope according to claim 1, wherein the liner is made of plastic, leather, fabric, cloth, soft rubber, or canvas. 